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Joining Petrobras Is Changing Lives: Engineers Achieve Salaries Above R$ 20 Thousand Net and Benefits That Ensure a Prosperous Future; See Requirements and Details on How to Secure a Spot in the Next Exam.
In 2023, the last Petrobras exam for technicians attracted more than 150,000 applicants for just over 4,000 positions. The reason is simple: the state-owned company pays salaries that, even in the most basic positions, far exceed the reality of many professionals with a college degree. And for engineers, who form the backbone of the company, the figures are even more impressive.
According to official documents from the Collective Labor Agreement (CLA) signed between Petrobras and unions, complemented by calculations presented in classes and spreadsheets by mentors approved in previous exams, a newly hired engineer starts with a remuneration that exceeds R$ 20 thousand net monthly. This level places the state-owned company among the most desired employers in the country.
But how does one reach this value? What else contributes to the paycheck besides the base salary? And what are the ways to secure this highly sought-after position?
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Engineer Salary at Petrobras: Official Figures
According to the CLA in force until 2025, the base salary of an engineer in an administrative setting starts at around R$ 14,380 per month. This is the starting point, but the figure grows rapidly when we add fixed and variable benefits.
In practice, when annualizing this salary, the engineer already receives over R$ 172 thousand just in direct earnings. On top of that, there is the 13th salary, vacation equivalent to one full salary, meal allowance of about R$ 2 thousand per month (R$ 24 thousand per year), and the salary bonus provided in the CLA, which adds on average half an extra salary per year. These mandatory components raise the annual fixed earnings to over R$ 225 thousand.
But the great differentiator comes from variable payments. Among them, Profit Sharing and Results (PLR), which for 2025 is already projected at R$ 52 thousand per engineer.
There is also the Performance-Based Compensation Program (PRD), which can yield from half to one and a half extra salaries, depending on the individual and collective goals achieved. Together, these values place the annual package above R$ 300 thousand, even before considering indirect benefits.
In the real paycheck, after deducting INSS, Income Tax, and contributions to the complementary pension plan Petros, the engineer receives an average of R$ 20 thousand net per month. For those with children who qualify for additional assistance, such as childcare assistance, this amount can reach R$ 22 thousand monthly right in the early years of their careers.
Benefits That Enhance Remuneration at Petrobras
The high salary is just part of the attraction. Petrobras offers a range of benefits that, if acquired in the private sector, would represent a considerable burden on personal budgets.
The first is the health plan, whose coverage for the employee and their dependents is estimated at over R$ 12 thousand per year. There is also the complementary pension plan Petros, in which the company contributes up to an additional 12% of the salary, matching the employee’s contribution and ensuring a robust retirement in the future.
Another point is the FGTS, which alone adds more than R$ 15 thousand annually in mandatory deposits. There are also educational assistance benefits, which can reach R$ 2 thousand per child in cities like São Paulo or Rio de Janeiro, helping to cover daycare and private school costs.
When all these values are accounted for, the annual remuneration of an engineer at Petrobras approaches R$ 350 thousand gross, placing the state-owned company in the same category as top multinational firms in the energy sector and even elite banks and consultancies.
Comparison with Other Careers
To gauge the attractiveness of this career, simply compare it to the market. While many newly graduated engineers in private companies receive entry salaries between R$ 5 thousand and R$ 8 thousand, an engineer at Petrobras starts with almost three times that value.
Even traditional public service careers, such as tax auditor or diplomat, find strong competition at Petrobras. After all, the initial remuneration already rivals the final salaries of elite positions in the federal civil service.
Missed the Timing on the Last Announcement and Promised That “Next Time” You Would Start Earlier?
That was exactly the case with Gabriel: newly graduated, working three shifts in the industry with zero free time. He didn’t have a perfect spreadsheet or 10 hours a day – just a method that fit into his routine and a schedule that simulated the already published announcement. In six weeks, he went from “I don’t know where to start” to mastering the basics that eliminate (Portuguese/Mathematics/English) and leveraging where it really counts: specifics.
The shortcut was the Petrobras Preparation Course with objective classes, focus tracks (Operations, Maintenance, Occupational Safety, Engineering), commented past exams in the style of the commission, and timed simulations.
No magic promises, just direction: study what is required, in the right order, at a pace that fits into real life. If Petrobras released the announcement tomorrow, would you open the PDF in panic… or with the feeling of “I’ve seen this before”?
If you want to feel the second scenario, learn about the program and see how to fit a 60 to 90-day plan today – before the real race begins: Petrobras Lifetime Project.
This reality explains why Petrobras exams are so competitive. Besides the stability of a strategic state-owned company, the benefits package ensures long-term financial security, something increasingly valued in the job market.
What Does an Engineer Do at Petrobras
The work of an engineer at Petrobras varies according to the area of expertise. Professionals can be allocated to oil and gas exploration and production projects, refining, logistics, equipment maintenance, operational safety, research in renewable energies, or even in energy transition initiatives, with projects involving green hydrogen and biofuels.
Many engineers work in administrative positions, but there are also opportunities on offshore platforms, refineries, and land operation units. In cases where the work requires boarding or night shifts, additional payments are incorporated into the salary, potentially further increasing the final remuneration.
In addition to technical roles, there are opportunities for advancement into leadership positions. Engineers taking on supervisory roles can see their salaries multiply throughout their careers, easily exceeding R$ 30 thousand monthly.
Requirements to Join Petrobras
To secure a position as an engineer at Petrobras, you must meet some basic requirements:
- College degree in Engineering from a program recognized by MEC.
- Active registration with the Regional Council of Engineering and Agronomy (CREA).
- Approval in the specific public exam for higher education.
The exam usually requires objective tests in general knowledge (Portuguese, logical reasoning, legislation) and specific areas of engineering. Depending on the position, there may also be essay stages and title analysis.
It is important to highlight that the Petrobras exam is one of the most technical in the country. Many successful candidates report that the level of demand is comparable to exams in the tax area or large courts.
Petrobras Exams: Past, Present, and Future
The last exam for engineers took place in 2021 and has already expired its validity in May 2024. Since then, the expectation has been high for the publication of a new announcement, especially in light of the company’s expansion.
With the billions in investment planned for the Equatorial Margin, totaling over R$ 40 billion and expected to create 350,000 direct and indirect jobs, the demand for engineers is increasing. Industry sources indicate that a new exam may be launched as early as 2026, with hundreds of positions available for different specialties.
The historical context reinforces this forecast: in 2023, the technical exam had its announcement published shortly after the closing of the reserve list from the previous exam. The same is expected to happen now with the higher education positions.
Why Do So Many Dream of This Position?
The appeal of the engineering career at Petrobras goes beyond the numbers. We are talking about working for one of the largest energy companies on the planet, responsible for 25% of Brazil’s industrial GDP and with operations that directly influence the country’s trade balance.
For many young engineers, joining the state-owned company means not only achieving financial stability but also participating in projects on a global scale.
From pre-salt to renewable energies, from refining innovation to research in green hydrogen, each front at Petrobras puts professionals in contact with cutting-edge technologies and complex engineering challenges.
Moreover, a career at Petrobras offers national mobility, opportunities for advancement, qualification programs, and the chance to become a reference in areas that are highly strategic for Brazil.
A Path of Study and Preparation
While the remuneration is highly attractive, the path to approval requires discipline and strategy. Mentors like William Rabello, an engineer who was approved in the exam and a preparation specialist, emphasize that the key lies in consistency.
According to him, those who start studying in advance and focus on the most frequently tested subjects in the history of Petrobras exams get ahead. “It’s not an impossible test, but it requires a method. I have already helped hundreds of engineers change their lives. What differentiates the successful candidates is the focus and directed preparation,” he summarizes.
The Impact on the Life of the Approved Candidate
An engineer who joins Petrobras today not only achieves an average net salary of R$ 20 thousand but also secures a network of benefits that can transform their path and that of their family. From comprehensive health insurance to complementary pension plans, educational assistance for children, to millionaire profit-sharing, every detail adds up to create a package that few sectors offer.
That is why the state-owned company continues to be viewed as the “dream job” for thousands of Brazilians. A path that combines stability, high earnings, prestige, and the opportunity to work on projects that shape the energy future of the country.
If you truly want to turn the dream of joining Petrobras into reality, you cannot wait for the announcement to come out to start. The Petrobras Preparation Course includes objective classes, commented past exams, and study plans ready for each area.
It’s the same method used by engineers and technicians who have already passed. If the state-owned company announces the exam tomorrow, would you be prepared? Learn about the program here: Petrobras Preparation Course.
Salário entre 14000 e 20000 reais não deixa de ser um bom ordenado. Mas o anúncio faz muito estardalhaço. Senão veja: engenheiros nós Estados Unidos ganham muito mais do que isso e é bem provável de ide que não tomam como referência o ganho salarial como faz o edital. Haja vista que o
mercado de trabalho americano tem uma deficiência de 509 engenheiros só na empresa que tenho conhecimento. Falo com conhecimento de causa pois meu irmão trabalha na empresa em questão.